『MV:INEBCEBTH』Arc-1 Ch-5

“Young lady. Please smile.”

Click!

The maid, Katsura Naomi-san, snapped a photo of me in my brand-new uniform with an instant camera. A strange mix of embarrassment and joy twisted my face into something that could only be called an indescribable expression.

Today was my kindergarten entrance ceremony.

Apparently, there had been some dispute with the Keika-in main family over my attending this particular kindergarten. Given my eye-catching blonde hair—and despite my efforts to act like a cat pretending to be ordinary—I was, in truth, a little too self-aware. They worried that such a child would stand out too much and invite bullying.

So, under the pretense that “home education under Tachibana and the maids will be sufficient until elementary school,” the main family opposed my enrollment. The real reason, of course, was my father’s scandal—it could’ve easily made me a target. But I decided to go anyway.

“Because I want friends too♪”

From elementary school through university, I would be attending Imperial learning Institution—a crucible of power, influence, and connections. For over a decade, factions, favoritism, and feuds would persist like ancient curses. If I didn’t distinguish allies from enemies early, I’d regret it later.

Still, my innocent, lisping plea easily melted the maids’ hearts. And so, after finding a kindergarten willing to take me into its oldest class, I enrolled. As expected, since it was in Den-en-chōfu, only the children of wealthy families attended.

“I’m off~♪”

“Have a good day.”

“Have a good day.”

“Please take care, young lady.”

With Tachibana at the wheel and the three maids seeing me off, I set out for my very first day of kindergarten. Even with the memories of my previous life, the fresh excitement was undeniable. Since I was joining mid-year, my enrollment coincided with the entrance ceremony for new students. I was effectively a “transfer” child—and that made me stand out even more.

“I’m Keika-in Runa! Nice to meet you♪”

I greeted everyone loudly, smiling brightly. Naturally, the other children swarmed me with questions.

“Where’s your house, Keika-in-san?”

“What’s your favorite food?”

“What picture books do you like?”

“Do you have dolls?”

“Your hair’s so pretty! Can I touch it?”

Lesson learned: children know no restraint.

One spring day, while I was enjoying my kindergarten life in various ways—comparing picture books with friends—a girl with twin tails suddenly appeared, carrying a large box.

Behind her followed another girl with bobbed hair, also holding a box.

“Oranges! Asuka’s oranges have arrived!!”

“I told you to call me Orange! Oranges from my family are here! Let’s all enjoy them♪”

“““Yay!!!”””

W-What’s going on!?

Before I could even process it, everyone had lined up, receiving oranges from the boxes and happily munching away. One of the oranges was offered to me—by the twin-tailed girl herself.

“Here. For you. They’re delicious.”

“Thank you. But, no matter how I look at it, this is a bit manly—”

“ORANGE!!!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I obediently peeled the “orange” and took a bite.

…It was good. Really good.

“Delicious.”

“Right?♪

They’re from my house, so eat as much as you want! We have plenty left over!”

I see.

This was around the time of the beef-orange liberalization—one of the Japan–US trade frictions. Many mandarin orange farmers went bankrupt because of it. Still, the orange in my hands was sweet and bursting with flavor. Before I knew it, I’d eaten one whole—and then a second one was offered. This time, by the bob-haired girl.

“You’re giving it to me?”

The bob-haired girl nodded energetically.

I accepted it gratefully, and she smiled—a quiet, doll-like smile.

“My name is Keika-in Runa. Nice to meet you♪”

“I’m Kasugano Asuka. And this is Kaihōin Hotaru. Nice to meet you.”

Apparently, they had received a massive shipment of mandarins from home and decided to share them. It became so popular that it turned into a full-blown event. As we ate and chatted, I finally asked the question that had been nagging me.

“So, why oranges?”

“Because it’s cool, obviously!

The era is orange, not mandarin! That’s why!”

…I see. That’s definitely going to be black history one day. By the way, her family was politically influential—the Kasugano family, with an electoral district in Ehime Prefecture, famous for mandarin oranges. No wonder crates of the stuff ended up here.

“…”

Even as we talked, Hotaru-san just smiled softly, happily eating her mandarin oranges while watching us. From her eyes and expression alone, I could tell she wasn’t very talkative. Sensing my curiosity, Asuka-san explained.

“Hotaru doesn’t talk much, but she’s my friend!

At first, she seemed like she’d fade away at the edge of the class, so I gave her a mandarin orange—and then we became friends!

Now we’re this close!”

Asuka hugged Hotaru tightly, rubbing her cheek against hers. Since Hotaru didn’t resist, they must truly be close.

“I want to be that close too.”

“Of course!

Anyone who eats my oranges is my friend!!”

“…”

Hotaru nodded again, smiling, and gently took my hand—then placed a third mandarin orange in it.

No… It’s delicious, but a third one is a bit much…

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Author’s Note

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I grew up deep in the mountains of Kyushu, so I honestly thought kindergarten only had one year.

When I first heard about “oldest class,” I was surprised—oh, that’s how it works!

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FootNotes

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Beef–Orange Liberalization

Liberalization began in 1991.

The Kasugano family, part of the agricultural policy faction in the Diet, strongly opposed the move.

Their daughter—our orange-loving character—was quietly watching her family’s struggles.

The Kasugano family hails from an old Ehime lineage with vast mandarin orange orchards.

Kaihōin Hotaru’s Backstory

Born into the Kaihōin family of Nara, a clan of onmyōji. She was once a child possessed by a mononoke, fated to vanish from the world as a kamikakushi. As she was being forgotten by everyone around her, Kasugano Asuka’s mandarin orange saved her. Choosing to remain in the human world, she became a quiet girl who loves to see others smile.

Blessed—or cursed—with the half-zashiki-warashi power to bring happiness,

she’s destined to form a duo with Kamina Mizuki around middle school.